Got patients: Tehree Gordon with Hi-Way Crane Trucks’ Guy Otway in the new hospital with a Jirrahlinga tenant.
ERIN PEARSON
A MELBOURNE animal shelter has donated a portable hospital to save injured koalas at a Barwon Heads sanctuary.
The donation arrived at Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary this week after a fire in July burnt down the facility’s koala hospital, killing six of its patients.
Jirrahlinga co-director Tehree Gordon said the Lost Dogs Home’s donation brought her staff to tears.
Mrs Gordon estimated the 12-metre-long building was worth around $10,000.
“It was amazing for them to ring us and offer the hospital,” she said.
“They even brought it down and set it all up. We’re just blown away.
“It means that if there are any disasters we’ll be able to step straight back in without any confusion or lack of equipment.
“We’re on top of the world at the moment.”
Lost Dogs Home general manager Sue Conroy said she had worked with Jirrahlinga over the years, so she understood its desperation.
Recent upgrades at the Lost Dogs Home had allowed the donation, she said.
“Jirrahlinga’s been through so much in the past few months and really deserves a bit of a helping hand,” Ms Conroy said.
“We’d like to think that if we were ever in the same situation other animal welfare organisations would get behind us and offer their support. After all, we’re here for the same reason – to care for and protect animals.”
